I got a new balcony built 6 months ago. Redwood 1x6, 4x4, 2x6 and stainless wire for the railing.
Close to the beach (fog, salt air) I used some sort of oil at the recommendation of Ace hardware paint dept.
the 2x6 cap rail developed black spots. I uderstand a bleach solution will clean that up, but what opinions on a bulletproof sealer to preserve the wood and, hopefully, keep the attractive redwood appearance?
Lowes has scads of options. Thompsons ?
Lowes has scads of options. Thompsons ?
Several people whose opinion I trust tell me not to bother with Thompson. It’s a paraffin sealer and abrades away in 6 months or less just from rain and sun. If you want to re-seal it that often then I suppose it’s OK but if you’re looking for a longer-term solution look elsewhere. Or so I am told.
There’s a Sherwin-Williams product. Forgot who recommended it to us. We had to go all the way to Prescott to get it because they aren’t allowed to sell it in the Phoenix area. It emits something Phoenix doesn’t like (but Prescott is OK with).
All I see now is “SuperDeck”, which wasn’t it. Maybe it’s been discontinued. If I come across the leftover bucket(s), I’ll note the name and send it to you.
1poorguy
If I come across the leftover bucket(s), I’ll note the name and send it to you.
Send me the stuff… not the name… wink
I’ve had friends in other states ship me stuff they could buy that I can’t… like Sceptre gas containers with old school caps and fillers.
…like Sceptre gas containers with old school caps and fillers.
Didn’t they follow up on the jerry can? I watched a fascinating story about the history of the jerry can. I never would have imagined the importance, it blew me away.
but what opinions on a bulletproof sealer to preserve the wood and, hopefully, keep the attractive redwood appearance?
I found it on the store shelf, right between the unicorn tears and the pixie dust.
I am of the opinion that no such product exists. Outdoor wood is an eternal maintenance project. Put whatever you wish on it, it will need to be redone in 1 to 5 years. That periodic maintenance will involve removing the old product, and likely a small bit of the wood (i.e. sanding) to restore the original appearance.
In the mean time, the wood will dry out and twist. Fasteners will become loose and need to be redone. The wood will split and crack in spite of whatever you put on it.
To be clear, I don’t dislike exterior wood. It can look fantastic. But it takes regular maintenance to keep it that way.
–Peter
Put whatever you wish on it, it will need to be redone in 1 to 5 years.
5 years beats the one year I’m getting out of whatever the Ace lady sold me.
What’s the 5 yr stuff?
What’s the 5 yr stuff?
Good quality exterior paint. Over a good quality exterior primer. It works on my eaves. (Should probably do them every 4 - 5 years, but I let it go for 6 - 7 until it starts looking bad.)
But that doesn’t meet your desire to enjoy the more natural look of unfinished wood. For that, anything you get will be good for a year. Maybe less.
Like I said, wood outdoors is a constant maintenance issue.
–Peter
The stuff we used has been good for going-on ten years (give or take). It may need to be refreshed soon. It was seriously good stuff, so in retrospect it was worth the drive to Prescott. We made a day trip of it, so it was a bit of fun anyway.
If they’ve discontinued that stuff, I don’t know how I’ll approach it. As you say, most stains/sealers only last a year or two.
1poorguy
The stuff we used has been good for going-on ten years It was seriously good stuff, so in retrospect it was worth the drive to Prescott.
And the name of the product is…?
Finally found it. Actually, I was pretty sure where it was. I have a box used to transport fresh silicon wafer from the manufacturer. Our company tosses a lot of them after receipt, so I snagged a few. I kept leftover paint in one, which was under a bunch of other boxes.
Anyway…Sherwin Williams Deckscapes. Oil based, semi-transparent.
https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/products/decksca…
At the time, it was not available in Phoenix due to VOCs. Prescott had no such restrictions. I don’t know if the current product is the same formulation. You’d probably have to call a local shop and ask them. It has been surprisingly durable. Not looking forward to climbing up on the structure to reapply, but should probably do it soon. If I can get more of that product. I have about half a can left, though it still sloshes, so apparently is usable.
Maybe S-W Superdeck works better in your arid clime? The reviews aren’t encouraging.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/superdeck-stain-review/
I think we used Armstrong-Clark Wood Stain. We got black mildew spots on the top cap fairly quickly.
(The house is under a termite tent, so I’ll check tomorrow.)
TWP and Restor-A-Deck seem to be their favorites.
Dunno. Mine is Deckscapes. Don’t know about Superdecks.
They may not make it anymore, though it did show up on their website (which I linked). Or maybe it’s a different formula without VOCs? Again…dunno.
I would call S-W and see what they say (about Deckspaces…not Superdeck).
As you say, most stains/sealers only last a year or two.
A good oil stain should last 5-7 years on vertical surfaces and 2-3 on horizontals. A sealer will last maybe half that. A paraffin sealer will last about 6 months.
Direct sun is the worst part of it, but rain will penetrate and wash it away over time too.
Direct sun is the worst part of it, but rain will penetrate and wash it away over time too.
Being 1000’ from the surf on the lost coast, we get a lot of fog in the summer, direct sun all afternoon the rest of the year.
Rain? What’s that?
In gale conditions we get salt spray.
I was surprised at the speed with which black mildew spots developed on the rail cap. Maybe the fumigation will kill it? The termite crew manager said everything will die in the tent.